Local Missions

HBC sponsors many local mission activities that allow people to reach out to others in love and minister to various needs in the community and the world. Some mission projects are sponsored by members or groups in the church and others are community projects where our members have become involved.

The Mission Bell
Many of our current ministries began with individuals or small groups who sensed that God was calling them to address a particular need. During worship, they would “sound the call” for others to join them in that ministry, whether it was a one-time event or an on-going ministry. In the sanctuary close to the piano is the “mission bell.” Now when someone wants to share their desire to address a need, the person rings the bell to sound the call to action. If you find your heart being stirred to address a concern within the church, the community or the world, you can sound the call and see who else might have that same interest. Together, you can begin to form the plans that may give rise to Heritage’s next ministry!
Below are some of the ways in which HBC members channel their passion for missions.

Hands-on Missions

Operation Inasmuch
Through OPIN, the church family has volunteered countless hours to assist many worthwhile local ministries in a day of community service each year. Advocates for Bartow’s Children, Tranquility House Women’s Shelter, the Good Neighbor Homeless Shelter, the Salvation Army, numerous hospices, nursing homes, and other helping agencies become the sites for hands-on care.  We also support many of these organizations regularly through our church budget.
For nearly a decade we’ve partnered with several other local congregations to make OPIN an ecumenical effort.  Our united one-day ministry draws an estimated 200 volunteers who work on dozens of projects in Cartersville and Bartow County.

Habitat for Humanity
In its relatively short life, HBC has sponsored four Habitat for Humanity houses in Bartow County.  There are plans to sponsor more builds in the future, as well as provide opportunities for individuals or groups in the church to contribute to buildings in the community.

Salvation Army
Annually, our church “rings” the Salvation Army bell and draws attention to the Red Kettle ministries provided by the Salvation Army. This annual holiday fundraiser provides vital resources to care for those in need.

Food & Clothing Ministries

Backpack Buddies 
The Backpack Buddies program is a community program that provides nonperishable food items every Friday to school children who might not get a meal at home during the weekend.  Our church supports 18 children each week in this program.  During the summer, church volunteers also deliver food to children through the Summer Lunch Program, where lunches are distributed for 8 weeks in June and July.

Community Church Shop 
The Community Church Shop is non-profit ministry that is sponsored and supported by local churches including Heritage, that provides good, clean clothes at a low cost to those in need.  Our Round Table women’s group staffs the Church Shop monthly in a rotation with the other churches.  Our youth also staff the shop every fifth Saturday throughout the year.

Seeds of Hope Community Garden 
In 2013, HBC members began “Seeds of Hope Community Garden,” which provided nearly 3000 pounds of fresh produce to local shelters and individuals during our first year. Plans to expand the garden and share more of God’s bounty with the community are underway for the next growing season.

Souper Sunday 
Each February, we partner with First Presbyterian Church for “Souper Sunday” (which takes place on Super Bowl Sunday).  Soups are donated by area restaurants or cooked by church volunteers. Our two churches take turns hosting the lunch, where the proceeds from soup sales go to local and global hunger projects, as decided by the host church for that year.  This year’s proceeds went to the Backpack Buddies program.

Education Ministries

Reading Buddies 
Thanks to a dedicated HBC couple, a Reading Buddies ministry was started to provide readers to children at Emerson Elementary School, a local Title I school.  Volunteers meet weekly with about 20 children for reading sessions in the school library. The church also provides a “lending library” of books the children can take home with them. The program is growing, and now provides additional reading instruction and one-on-one time for young elementary and pre-K children throughout the school year.

English as a Second Language (ESL) 
In October of 2013, Heritage hosted a training event for church and community members to receive training for teaching English as a Second Language.  Many of the Reading Buddies parents as well as other internationals in the community have expressed interest in adult learning opportunities. We now partner with OLA to provide ESL classes on Wednesday evenings.